Public Engagement

Ensuring the Gorge remains a vibrant, living place—wondrous, wild, and open to all—is at the core of what we do. Building a large, diverse cross section of public support is critical if we are to preserve the Columbia Gorge for future generations. To meet this challenge, Friends seeks to strengthen community support for key conservation initiatives, expose local youth to the Gorge’s wonders, and illustrate the Gorge’s significance as an icon of the Pacific Northwest and national treasure.

We regularly lead guided Gorge hikes and outings; organize programs in partnership with local schools to expose hundreds of students from Washington and Oregon to the Gorge’s wonders; and work with community partners to create opportunities for members of the public to come together and discuss pressing challenges facing the Gorge. A vital tool in our broader engagement efforts is the thousands of dedicated Friends members, volunteers, and activists who live in and around the Gorge. Friends works to develop innovative and creative strategies to effectively educate and engage the public in efforts to protect, preserve, and steward the Gorge.